Ondrej Pavelec released from hospital after collapse
After one of the more bizarre, yet scary incidents in the National Hockey League, goaltender Ondrej Pavelec of the Atlanta Thrashers has been released from the Hospital.
On Friday, during the Thrashers' season opener against the Washington Capitals, Pavelec mysteriously collapsed on the ice early in the first period after a play stoppage at the other end
of the ice. During the stoppage in play, cameras picked up Pavelec slapping his stick into the ice before he fell backward in front of his net. The 23-year-old net-minder suffered a concussion from the fall, however, there is still no explanation as to what
initially caused the collapse in the first place.
After receiving about 10 minutes of attention, Pavelec was eventually wheeled off the ice on a stretcher, but remained unconscious. It wasn’t until the first intermission that the Thrashers
learned that Pavelec had regained consciousness at a local hospital. Chris Mason, who signed with the Thrashers as a free agent over the summer, took over in goal and helped lead the Thrashers to a 4-2 win.
The Thrashers released a statement on Sunday stating that Pavelec was released from hospital after two nights of observation, but all tests to determine the cause of the collapse have
come back normal.
Many of the players remain shaken up after the incident.
"I didn't take that very well," defenceman Zach Bogosian said. "I almost got sick to my stomach."
"It's always sad to see someone get carried off like that," Dustin Byfuglien said. "I just piped up and said let's go win this one for him."
The Thrashers have placed Pavelec on injured reserve and have called up goalie Drew MacIntyre from the American Hockey League to back up Mason in net.
Pavelec, who is from Klado in the Czech Republic, was originally drafted by the Thrashers in the second round with the 41st overall pick at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
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